The public comment period on the proposed draft decision to deny the Regulation 5 permit application of C&H Hog Farms, Inc. in Newton County has been extended until 4:30 Wednesday afternoon.
The Newton County Times reports the comment period was extended following a public hearing Oct. 16th in Jasper. The original deadline had been set for Oct. 17th.
In September, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality issued a draft decision denying the farm’s new operating permit needed to replace its expired one. The department cited a lack of required information submitted by the owners, including a geologic investigation and emergency action plan. The farm is allowed to continue operating under its expired permit until the permit application process has concluded.
The farm operates near Mt. Judea along Big Creek, 6.6 miles from where it flows into the Buffalo National River. Waste from the farm is applied on several area pastures.
Opponents of the 6,503-hog-capacity facility say it is to blame for pollution and algae growth in the river above and below where Big Creek enters it.
Supporters of the farm point out Big Creek doesn’t have any algae growth and much of the impairment and bad water quality testing occurred above the farm and above the Big Creek confluence with the Buffalo.
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